The NYS Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program, administered by the New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) in collaboration with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYS AGM), aims to support beginning farmers in building financially sustainable, independent, commercial agricultural businesses. Applications are open from October 25, 2024, to January 24, 2025, with a total of $850,000 available in funding. This program is supported by Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State legislature through a 2022/2023 fiscal year appropriation.

Eligibility is limited to farmers who have been operating a farm for no more than 10 years and who will actively manage the farm within New York State. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to creating a sustainable commercial agricultural enterprise. A 5% match is required for all projects, and grants are reimbursement-based, meaning recipients must self-finance or secure financing to complete their projects before reimbursement.

The program offers two funding tracks: Track 1 for grants between $5,000 and $25,000 with a total funding pool of $300,000 and an 18-month project duration, and Track 2 for grants between $50,000 and $250,000 with a $550,000 funding pool and a 24-month project duration. Funds can be used for diverse purposes such as farm start-up or expansion, worker training, marketing, land and equipment purchases, construction, or other business needs. Specific project milestones or successful completion are required for reimbursement.

Applications must be submitted online using a designated platform, with all required documentation, including a budget developed using the provided Excel template. Applicants are encouraged to consult the RFP and associated appendices, which detail technical requirements, infrastructure guidelines, and allowable expenses. While webinars explaining the application process have concluded, recordings remain available for review.

Questions about the RFP must be emailed to the program’s contact, and responses will be posted weekly. Additional resources are available to help applicants prepare strong proposals, including educational tools for setting SMART goals and conducting SWOT analyses. Support from mission-aligned organizations is also available for application development.

Applications must be completed and submitted by January 24, 2025. All materials should align with the program’s focus on financial sustainability and independent operations, as outlined in the RFP. Applicants should thoroughly review the guidelines and use the resources provided to ensure compliance and competitiveness.